My SD Moms Happy “National Breastfeeding Month”! Learn more, here!
Breastfeeding can be the easiest and hardest thing at the same time. From the beginning days when I didn’t think it was working, to the days I had to feed in public, and of course the middle of the night pumping so my boobs don’t feel like they are about to explode – whew, it can be work. But all the pros for breastfeeding override all of that. My husband and I have made a new phrase “the power of the boob” when Bryce just needed one more feeding before passing out for the entire night. Oh and of course breastfeeding burns extra calories – so it’s not only good for baby, but good for momma’s body!
Over these past 7 months, I have realized that other women’s support has really helped me in wanting to continue breastfeeding during this first year. My friends who helped me while I had to nurse in public for the first times, to the friends I could always call with any questions – that really helped comfort me and kept me going. So if you are feeling alone or weird when it comes to breastfeeding, please know there are so many people cheering for you! Here is my breastfeeding “high five” to you!
I have a whole new appreciation for women who nurse in public. I use to think “can’t they just use a bottle of their breastmilk” – and then I went to the zoo with my baby for the first time. On a whole day adventure, my boobs start hurting so bad because obviously hours went by that I wasn’t nursing him. As soon as he woke up – I threw on my apron, grabbed a table, and feed in public for the first time! And you know what I realized, it wasn’t a big deal! Yes it can feel strange to pump at work and put your milk in the fridge in front of coworkers, and yes it can feel strange to put your nursing apron on and feed your baby in public – but I started thinking “it’s their problem if they feel strange, I should NOT feel strange doing this for my baby!” And then all those insecurities went out the window and now I will feed Bryce anywhere – and have.
What’s the funniest story you have about feeding or pumping in public? I’ll share some of my mine next week!
[Steph Baby Blog Tag]
Cheers! I will be starting a new breastfeeding relationship with baby #4 in October. My journey has taken me through several phases from not knowing it was even okay to breastfeed on a plane, to multitasking while breastfeeding cover-less (expert style with no exposed skin) and simultaneously feeding lunch to three toddlers at the zoo, to donating about 25 gallons of breast milk to mamas/babies in need. I have become more knowledgeable and therefore more successful with each child through support of other moms in person and in online communities.
The most memorable public breastfeeding incident I’ve had was with my first, when I was not at all comfortable with public breastfeeding. My oldest was born in Japan, and she did some modeling for baby clothes catalogs between 6 and 10 months old. We would have to take the train into Tokyo for auditions and shoots. Have you seen those pictures of Tokyo trains at rush hour? Yeah…PACKED doesn’t even begin to describe it. I was wearing her in a carrier (it is impossible to get on the train with a stroller at certain times of day) and she was starting to get fussy and loud at one point, which was not appreciated by my fellow train riders because they like the quiet and many use their commute as a nap time. I was standing up with at least five random strangers touching some part of my body with some part of their body, and I just pulled up my shirt and loosened one side of the carrier and fed her right there. My shirt rested on her cheek so nothing was visible, but I got a very mixed reaction from my fellow passengers. I think a couple of them wanted to back away from me, but they couldn’t because they had nowhere to go. Haha. It was very awkward for me then, but looking back I find it quite hilarious. 🙂
Anyway, if anyone is interested, here is my blog contribution to WBW: http://www.happyteamhayes.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-random-little-influences-and-large.html
Love this – thank you for sharing Amy and that is so great you donated all that milk, wow 25 gallons! – Steph